The film reminds me a bit of Griffith’s The Struggle (especially the quiet devastation of this moment). The Crowd is more visually ambitious, probably one among many reasons it’s more well-remembered, but I feel the Griffith is rather inventive in its own way too, especially for an early talkie. Have you seen it/what did you think?

Blasphemy alert: I haven’t seen a single Griffith yet! Will add THE STRUGGLE to the list when I get around doing that. Thanks!

THE CROWD was a stunner alright, especially the way it incorporates the idea of sameness and repetition – conveyor belt stylistics – in its aesthetics – thematically on the money. I wonder how the film might have turned out if it was a talkie. And this particular shot – the loss of compositional balance, the use of negative space and the shift of colour – is a sight to behold.